ISLAMABAD: The United States federal and local authorities are continuing their investigation into the Washington, DC, shooting involving Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who resettled in the United States under Operation Allies Welcome. The investigators have not publicly linked the suspect to Pakistan, regional militant networks, or any foreign government.
In this regard, Lakanwal had previously served in Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) “Zero Units,” covert paramilitary teams that were trained and supported by the United States during the Afghan conflict.
Furthermore, his evacuation following the fall of Kabul, as well as his subsequent relocation to Washington State, occurred through US-run channels established for former Afghan partners.
In this sense, federal agencies, including the FBI and CIA have not suggested any Pakistan-related angle in their ongoing probe.
Despite the absence of official statements implicating Pakistan, several online actors and political figures have circulated claims linking the suspect to Pakistani institutions or anti-Taliban resistance networks.
The Taliban administration’s spokespeople and affiliated media outlets have promoted narratives attempting to connect the incident to Pakistan or Afghan opposition groups.
Meanwhile, some Indian social media accounts and diaspora activists have amplified similar allegations. One widely referenced post came from Cheryl Benard, spouse of former US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad.
The critics argue that her commentary raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, given Khalilzad’s previous involvement in US policy surrounding Afghan security forces.
In addition, experts in regional disinformation say the competing narratives indicate long-standing tensions among the Taliban, Pakistan, various Afghan factions, and regional actors who frequently use high-profile incidents to advance strategic messaging.
Additionally, US authorities focus on that their investigation remains focused on the suspect’s documented background within Afghanistan’s former security apparatus and his resettlement through American government programs.
The investigation continues, analysts caution that unverified accusations risk inflaming regional sensitivities, underlining the need for careful reporting and reliance on confirmed information.
